The Best New Hotel Openings of 2021
Aman New York
Hotel · Midtown West
"Aman New York will transform the crossroads of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. Each utterly elegant room or suite has a working fireplace—a rarity in New York City—with access to extraordinary facilities, including three restaurants, an underground jazz club, and, of course, the Aman Spa. After a year of uncertainty and lockdown, personal well-being is more important than ever, and the property's flagship Wellness Center will offer a much-needed respite."
The Goodtime Hotel
Hotel · Miami Beach
"This opening is yet another reason to celebrate Miami Beach’s buzzy cultural melting pot. The brainchild of David Grutman and Pharrell Williams, this chic boutique hotel will offer up high-octane experiences synonymous with its namesake."
Bishop's Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection
Hotel · Tesuque
"Santa Fe is brimming with charm, and this spring will see the opening of Bishop’s Lodge, a soulful retreat from Auberge Resorts Collection tucked into 317 discreet acres bordering the National Forest."
Montage Big Sky
Resort hotel · Big Sky
"There’s a wilderness retreat—and then there’s being situated at the heart of a 3,500-acre Spanish Peaks enclave. Inspired by its natural setting (and what a setting it is), the Montage Big Sky is all about giving you everything you need—along with space, facilities, and time to enjoy it."
Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences
Health resort · Riviera Beach
"Singer Island, a discreet enclave a few minutes' drive from glamorous Palm Beach, has always held an in-the-know appeal. This year, the Amrit Resort & Residences, a wellness-focused reprieve, will open here with 155 guest rooms, each boasting ocean views."
Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection
Hotel · Napa
"This summer, laid-back luxury gets a new home as Auberge Resorts Collection debuts Stanly Ranch, a property that pays homage to the winery estate tradition that has made Napa Valley the stuff of legends."
The Ritz Carlton Residences, Paradise Valley
Real estate developer · Paradise Valley
"Arizona is one of America’s most cinematic states, with barren landscapes juxtaposed with verdant enclaves and epic vistas galore. Later this year in glamorous Paradise Valley, The Ritz-Carlton will open a stunning new outpost, overlooking Camelback Mountain and offering luxurious experiences inspired by its breathtaking natural surroundings."
The Newbury Boston
Hotel · Back Bay
"Located in Boston’s tony Back Bay, The Newbury will reopen fresh from a thoughtfully conceived renovation this year with 286 luxurious rooms and suites, many of which boast fireplaces. With a nod to the property’s extensive history playing host to lavish dinners and parties, the hotel partnered with Major Food Group (the powerhouse behind The Grill, Carbone, and more) to helm food and beverage. The rooftop restaurant will plate up sweeping views of the Boston Commons and, in warmer months, slide open for alfresco dining. Head here for the chic decor, the views, and the food; expect dreamy Italian cuisine by chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi."
The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection
Hotel · Los Olivos
"The Santa Ynez Valley’s sophisticated yet low-key feel makes it an apt place to reimagine a fabled landmark like The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern. Auberge Resorts Collection refreshed the property, where rooms and cottage-style setups merge the simplicity of modern farmhouse design with the eclecticism of ranch life."
Cara Hotel
Hotel · Los Feliz
"The 60-room Cara Hotel is putting Los Feliz firmly on the map by embracing its surroundings; hidden in plain sight, it sits discreetly at the foothills of Griffith Park, in the shadow of the Hollywood sign. Designed to bring the outside in, breezy patios and private courtyard balconies enveloped by 100-year-old olive trees and palms pay homage to the Gaelic translation of Cara, meaning “friend,” where a sense of conviviality and warmth beams through like the L.A. sun itself."
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Resort hotel · Liberia
"Discreetly tucked into lush hillsides, the Four Seasons Private Residences at Prieta Bay in Costa Rica are now available to rent. A collection of exquisite estate homes and breathtaking villas designed by renowned native architect Ronald ZĂĽrcher, each residence features gallery-like spaces with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open fully to poolside terraces with mesmerizing views of the Pacific Ocean."
Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
Hotel · Versailles
"Imagine retracing the footsteps of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette unencumbered at Versailles while bedding down inside the grounds of the UNESCO palace. Otherworldly, we know. This year, you can do just that with the arrival of Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, a wonderfully discreet boutique property encompassing three historic buildings on the historic palace grounds."
Kisawa Sanctuary
Resort hotel · Vilankulo
"A 300-hectare sanctuary of forest, beach, and sand dunes on the southern tip of Mozambique’s Benguerra Island, this impressive retreat—sanctuary is the keyword here—has a huge focus on meaningful sustainability, with 3D-printed building materials and coral reefs."
Six Senses Shaharut
Hotel · Beersheba
"We’ve been keeping an eager eye on this long-overdue opening near the Negev for some time now. Expect the biblical heritage of this ancient valley—with a huge dose of Six Senses luxury and style. There are few better locations in the world, and this opening, with its panoramic suites, pool villas, and private reserve will put you right at the heart of things. As ever with Six Senses, expect exceptional dining, drinking, and facilities (there will be five restaurants on-site), as well as easy access to the Edom Mountains and local surroundings."
Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel
Hotel · Palermo
"Reinvented under the flair of Olga Polizzi and the Rocco Forte family, Villa Igiea brings a much-needed touch of luxury to Palermo. Encompassed by manicured gardens, poolside ruins, and signature Mediterranean blues, this property promises to be a beacon of the slow-paced serenity that Sicily is known for. Everything about this hotel is intrinsically Sicilian, from the warmth of the service to the flavor of the cuisine."
Aurora Lodge
Troms
"Tucked away in the Lyngen Alps (the best place in the world to see the northern lights), an extraordinary new luxury lodge just opened. Snorre Stinessen’s Aurora Lodge hosts curated experiences that celebrate the landscape (think: skiing into the sea, conservation projects tagging whales, and more). This property knows that the northern lights are one of if not the biggest attractions in the area, and specialists will help with locating the best places to view the Green Lady. Aurora Lodge is eco-conscious and high on design, with Antonio Lupi interiors and Hästens beds. Take your family or friends anytime of year, as the natural world is on display 365 days."
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid
Hotel · Jeronimos
"A glamorously classic restoration of a true Madrid landmark, the reopening of the Mandarin Oriental is set to be a huge event in the months to come. Five restaurants and bars, exceptional fitness and wellness facilities, and the magical touch of Belle Époque await. With its generous proximity to the Prado and Thyssen museums, and the Retiro Park, this is a haven at the heart of things in one of Europe’s most spectacular cities."
The Reykjavik EDITION
Hotel · Reykjavik
"This very contemporary addition to the city’s downtown opposite the Harpa Concert Hall offers easy access to Reykjavik’s vibrant cultural scene, as well as a comfortable place to retreat from it all. Featuring a rooftop bar, ballroom, and nightlife space, as well as a signature restaurant and destination bar, this new EDITION installment is a great place to settle in before heading out into the Icelandic wilds beyond."
"Bathed in golden light, St. Barts was a refuge of choice for the elite in an unforgettable (try as we might) year. For 2021, Rosewood is encouraging us to return. Reopening as part of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the much-anticipated revival has been four years in the making. With its prized position on an exclusive two-beach peninsula and more facilities than anywhere else on the island, it’s an old friend with a new look that we’re glad to see return stronger than ever after surviving hurricane damage and the delays and tribulations of the pandemic."
San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel
Temporarily Closed
"Bestowing a new lease of life on the old San Domenico Palace that attracted names such as Elizabeth Taylor and Oscar Wilde in its heyday, Four Seasons is moving into Sicily. Still caught between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, the hotel will reopen with a fresh, new outlook at fine dining establishment Principe Cerami, a brand-new beach club, and an extensive spa complete with a Turkish bath. While the doorstep remains its enigmatic self, there’s a whole lot more to come back to once the doors to the Palace reopen under new ownership this year."
NoMad London
Hotel · Covent Garden
"Coming soon to London’s bustling Covent Garden, the NoMad, housed in a restored 19th-century former courthouse, will offer 91 rooms with thoughtful interiors designed by Roman and Williams."
100 Princes St
Building · New Town
"On the city’s most iconic street and in the shadow of its hilltop castle, 100 Princes Street is set to bring new life to a centuries-old address. Honoring heritage and craftsmanship, renovations have been respectful yet progressive with a sense of style and sophistication. Divulging no secrets from the outside, checking in here has a feeling akin to that of slipping off the street into an exclusive member’s club, where staff know you by name and your every need is anticipated. In short, it makes Edinburgh feel like home."
Xigera Safari Lodge
Hotel · North-West
"Taking its name from the pied kingfisher that makes its home among the channels of the (surrounding) Moremi Game Reserve, this remarkable safari lodge—made up of just 12 private suites—has comfort, luxury, and design at its avowedly generous heart. Contemporary, elegant, comfortable, the entire space (from above, it looks like a series of subtle leaves) blends beautifully into its rich green landscape. Natural materials, organic forms, and what’s set to be some pretty peerless facilities and service await."
Reschio
Resort hotel · Perugia
"This spring sees the main Castello open its gates, after being accessible only to private homeowners and renters for 25+ years. Three years of work, yet a millennium in the making, it doesn’t disappoint. There’s a playful attitude that sits alongside a reverence for Italian nobility. Priceless antiques, a bold color palette, and cavernous, light-filled spaces come together with a casual elegance that soothes the soul. Across its 3,750 acres, Reschio feels like a retreat in the truest sense of the word. Here, food is foraged, landscapes are explored by horseback, and an ethereal spa sits adjacent to historic wine cellars."
Kruger Shalati - The Train on the Bridge
Hotel · Ehlanzeni
"A true feat of design, this unusual property is built into a train that sits atop a bridge in Kruger National Park. Described as a sanctuary from the world, it’s easy to see why: Jaw-dropping views, indulgent facilities, and exceptional dining are on offer for guests in the rooms of this boutique wonder. All the while, the Kruger Shalati's articulate design gives a comfortable nod to its industrial heritage. If you’re looking for something very new and very different, this is it."
One&Only Portonovi
Resort hotel · Montenegro
"Somewhere to slip away to in the coming months, the latest offering from One&Only sees the group arrive on European shores with all the sophistication you’d expect. Boka Bay is an enigmatic corner of the Adriatic, where forested hillsides and stranded beaches flow into mirrored waters, and it makes for a natural home to One&Only Portonovi."
Kalesma Mykonos
Hotel · South Aegean
"Mykonos buzzes with energy. Many think of epic beach parties, late lunches, and dancing until the sun rises when they think of this beach destination. This year, Kalesma Mykonos will open as a contemporary sanctuary nestled on the hillside of Aleomandra, providing a much-needed respite from all that buzz."
The Johri Jaipur
Hotel · Jaipur
"Tucked away in Jaipur’s wildly colorful Johri Bazaar and enveloped by mesmerizing textiles, The Johri Jaipur is, quite literally, a hidden gem. This five-suite, whimsically luxurious boutique hotel was owned by a family who made jewelry for royalty from all continents. Now, it has been lovingly restored by the property's owner, Sudhanshu Kasliwal, in collaboration with New York-based designer Naina Shah."